Over the past few days, many blogs and op-ed's have been lamenting the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision from Thursday that opened up the floodgates for unlimited Corporate and labor special interest sponsorship of political campaigns. The Washington Post even calls for a "Populist Revolt". While the decision may have sent shockwaves throughout the nation, to political cynics, such as myself, it was just, to quote Pink Floyd, "Another Brick in the Wall".
The decision was reached by the more Conservative Justices with the moderate Justice Anthony Kennedy. Many say that this decision has successfully shut off debate and many of the provisions of the McCain-Feingold "Campaign Finance Reform" or BCRA (The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, and that this will lead to a windfall of money landing onto to laps of those not only on the Hill in D.C. but in state houses throughout the nation. With 2010 being a HUGE mid-term election year, this Green light will no doubt impact the coming election cycle.
Corporate and union interests have dominated D.C. in unprecedented numbers over the past couple of decades. One needs to not look farther than the Health Care Reform debate and follow the cash by the pharmaceutical and insurance companies poured into both sides of the aisle. It is also no secret that many Congressional representatives and Senators become lobbyists for these industries upon exiting their seats. While many decry the decision as an "end to democracy as we know it", I'm glad to see that debate has opened up on the issue.
For years, people such as former Presidential Candidate, Ralph Nader, have attempted to bring the subject of "Corporate Personhood" into the national dialect. In the 1886case of Santa Clara county V. Southern Pacific Railroad, the Supreme Court decided what would be interpreted as granting Corporations the right to vote. That decision paved the way, in the long run for the decision that was delivered on Thursday.
While many are playing partisan politics with the decision and using it as a chance to paint those of conservative poltiical leanings as being "corporate", the fact remains that BOTH Democrats and Republicans line their pockets with special interest and yes, Corporate cash. The decision is a defeat for conservatives as the ruling also allows for labor unions to pump cash into campaign.
As we gear up for this year's election cycle, expect to see ALOT more political ads, as they are bought and paid for in even bigger record numbers. It seems that campaign spending is constantly accomplishing new monetary feats. Funny how that is when millions of Americans are unemployed, have no health insurance and many have no food to eat. The polticians are busy feeding their egos at a time when many American families cannot even feed their children.
While many view the Supreme Court decision with disdain, I believe that the decision has opened up a healthy dialogue about our political system and the funding of such. The decision was an all too telling symptom of the overall disease. Sadly, I fear that this opportunity to establish meaningful reform and discussion will be overshadowed by partisan bickering and political posturing.
